CYBERBULLY AWARENESS

 

Many Malaysians are cyberbullying without releasing what they are doing, some choose to openly attack people based on their physical attributes where people set an unrealistic beauty standards — weight limits, skin color, body size and they just basically pick on those who are just different in general.

This can cause emotional distress just as impactful as physical abuse, or even worse, as it destroys ones self-confidence completely.

1. What is Cyberbullying

Cyerbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.

Face-to-face bullying and cyberbullying can often happen alongside each other. But cyberbullying leaves a digital footprint – a record that can prove useful and provide evidence to help stop the abuse.

2. Types Of Cyberbullying

1.Dissing

Dissing refers to the act of a bully spreading cruel information about their target through public posts or private messages to either ruin their reputation or relationships with other people. In these situations, the bully tends to have a personal relationship with the victim, either as an acquaintance or as a friend.

2.Harassment

 It involves the bully sending offensive and malicious messages to an individual or a group and is often repeated multiple times. Cyberstalking is one form of harassment that involves continual threatening and rude messages, and can lead to physical harassment in the real, offline world.

3. Masquerading

Masquerading is a situation where a bully creates a fake identity to harass someone anonymously. In addition to creating a fake identity, the bully can impersonate someone else to send malicious messages to the victim.

 

3. What To Do If I’m Bullied / See Someone Being Bullied 

Being bullied is hurtful, scary and confusing. When bullying is aggressive and physical, it can be dangerous.  When it’s emotional – like name calling, or cyberbullying – it’s easy to feel alone.

If you’re being bullied or see someone being bullied, here are some things to do:

• Try to stay calm.
• Don’t let hurtful words beat you down.
• Be a friend - listen, support and speak up (especially if the situation is unsafe).
• Tell them to stop.
• Say nothing and walk away…if you need to, run away!
• Remember – bullies might be in pain, too.
• Get off the internet! Avoid checking the internet (even though you want to).
• Delete accounts where you are bullied.  Take a screen shot so that you can share it with your parents or others for evidence and support.
• Don’t respond to online bullies – getting into online conversations/chats can make you feel worse. 
• Brush it off with humor.
• Tell someone you trust – friend, parent, teacher, and mentor.
• Avoid “problematic areas” – areas around the neighborhood or school where bullying can happen.
• Safety in numbers - keep yourself surrounded by people.
• Spend more time with people who make you feel good about yourself (we like this one!).
• Don’t become a bully yourself.  If you have – don’t give in to anger; don’t give in to peer pressure.  If you can, be a friend – say sorry.
• Ask adults to listen. Tell them, “It’s important.”
• Recognize the signs of depression - sadness, wanting to be alone, poor concentration, sleeping problems, and difficulty in school.
• If you’re feeling very sad or unsafe – always, always find help (best to find a trusted adult).